Input costs increase, agricultural production faces difficulties

Scarcity of pig breeding sources

Along with the continuous increase in the price of live pigs in the market, the price of piglets has also increased sharply compared to last year. Mr. Trinh Van Toan (Group 12, Hoa Lu Ward, Pleiku City) said: In recent years, his family has always maintained a herd of about 100 pigs. Recently, he sold 2 batches of live pigs at a price of 65-75 thousand VND/kg. Thanks to the increase in the price of live pigs, after deducting expenses, his family earned a profit of about 100 million VND.

“To continue to restore the herd, I recently bought 50 piglets weighing 6-7 kg each for nearly 2 million VND each, an increase of about 500,000-700,000 VND each compared to last year. All piglets have been vaccinated by the Provincial Livestock Breeding Center, so I am very assured. I hope that the price of live pigs will remain stable as it is now so that farmers can have a stable income,” said Mr. Toan.

Workers of CP Vietnam Livestock Joint Stock Company - Gia Lai Branch take care of breeding pigs. **Photo: ND**

Mr. Hoang Van Sy (village 5, Ia Bang commune, Dak Doa district) said: About 10 days ago, he bought 15 piglets weighing 10 kg each for 2.3 million VND each, 500-700 thousand VND each higher than last year. The increase in piglet and feed prices has caused costs to rise. I hope that when the time comes to sell the pigs, the price of live pigs will remain at the current level so that farmers can make a profit.

According to statistics from the provincial Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, the total herd of pigs in the province is 994 thousand. Recently, the price of piglets has increased, while the supply is scarce, making it difficult for people to restore their herds.

Mr. Tran Van Thuong - Deputy Director of the Provincial Livestock Breeding Center - informed: Currently, the price of 10 kg piglets sold at the Center fluctuates at 2.2-2.3 million VND/pig, an increase of 600-700 thousand VND/pig compared to the end of 2024. However, the source of piglets on the market is also scarce. The reason for the high price of piglets is that local people are tending to restore their herds. On average, each month, the Center sells 300-400 high-quality piglets, mainly to traditional customers in the province who have long-term cooperation with the unit.

Mr. Thai Van Dung, Head of the Provincial Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, said: The high price of live pigs in the market is an optimistic signal that helps farmers have a stable source of income. However, to develop a stable pig herd when the price of piglets is increasing, people need to implement biosafety farming measures.

In addition, people need to choose to buy piglets from breeding facilities with clear origins, ensuring quality and proactively vaccinating pigs.

Production costs are rising.

At this time, the prices of many agricultural supplies such as fertilizers, pesticides, plant varieties, etc. have increased significantly compared to last year. Ms. Le Thi Bao Tram, owner of Binh Duong agricultural supplies store (Trang commune, Dak Doa district) said: "Recently, fertilizer prices have been adjusted up, especially imported fertilizers."

Farmers prepare fertilizer for crop production. **Photo: ND**

Mr. Nguyen Huu Nghi (Tan Lap village, Ia Sao commune, Ia Grai district) shared: “The sharp increase in coffee prices over the past two years has brought joy to farmers. However, production costs have also increased due to the increase in fertilizer and pesticide prices of about 10-15%.

Besides fertilizer prices, labor costs have also increased by about 30%. The estimated cost for 2 hectares of coffee this crop year is about 150 million VND, not including family labor.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Doan Ngoc Co - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment - said: The increase in material prices has increased input costs in agricultural production, affecting people's profits.

In the current context of rising prices, the agricultural sector is making efforts to propagate and guide people to gradually change their farming practices, switch to organic production, produce according to certification standards and traceability to improve the quality and value of agricultural products in the market.

In addition, improve production management capacity, apply new technologies, increase application of IPM program, plant nutrition health to optimize production costs, increase profits.